Multiple switch



March 27, 1956 M BALDASARE 2,740,004

MULTIPLE SWITCH Filed June 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l (Ittorneg March 27, 1956 M. BALDASARE 2,740,004

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Gtforneg United States Patent() MULTIPLE SWITCH MichaelV Baldasare, Danbury, Conn., assignor to The Capitol'Machiue Company, Danbury, Conn., a corporatioxrof Connecticut Applicationlune 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,311 Claims. (Cl. 200-5) Thc'zpresent invention relates to a multiple switch, particularly: ofitheaaccumulative lock-up type, such switch comprising axplurality of switch units each having a deprcssible plungeror similar contact actuating means, each suchunitfrcpresenting a position of the multiple switch, and: therebeing a,further release position which may, tself, be a switch unit. Each position is adapted to lock independently in its contact actuating position, and one O r-Illore-of- Such positions is adapted to be released upon deprcssionfo the plunger or other actuating means of the releasefposition, the releasing unit being adapted to be lockedlin its releasing position upon being actuated to release;` the previously actuated switch units, and itself adaptedto bereleased uponl actuation of any one of the switchrunits.

`Switchesfof this `type are employed in lntercommunication-andirecontrolfsystems, for instance in ships and aircraft, andz'are `also used in the control panels of radio andtelevisionstudios, normally operating relays. In such use, particularly in the military, such switches are subjected; to extreme shock and vibration, as well as Contact withthe elements, and it is an object of the invention to` provide-.a switch structure which will function inechanically and electrically under extreme conditions of shock4 and vibration, and in which the parts are so protectedand` arranged as to effectually withstand salt spray and-other deteriorating conditions to a high degree.

A further objectl isto provide a switch of this character, in which a relatively large number of positions may befprovidedwithin a very limited space, and which embodies astructure lending itself to the convenient increase imthe numberof positions simply by increasing the length oftcertain`r parts ofy the frame to thereby accommodate additional l.switch units.

,A further object is to provide a switch mechanism which. will permit of the simultaneous operation of two onmoreof the switch positions, and also which will not jamor otherwise` mal-function in the event that both a switch position and the release position are simultaneously operated.

Othersobjects. and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed. description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein satisfactory embodiments of theinventionare shown. However, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the details disclosed butincludes` all such variations and modifications as fall withinthe spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Int-he drawings:

Fig. l is.a front elevation of a multiple switch, according;to..the.illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cover plate at the forward side being removed to disclose theV normally concealed mechanism;

FgZ-is. an. end elevation, the cover plate which is removed inFig.` 1 being in place in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view taken along-thelne 3 3 of Fig. 2;

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Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and showing a switch unit depressed to its contact actuating position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View showing the release position and the adjacent switch unit, the latter being shown in its depressed contact actuation position;

Fig. 8 is a similar view and showing the release position depressed to release the switch unit shown depressed in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 3, wherein all of theswitch units and the release position unit are in their normal` raised inoperative positions;

Fig. l0 is a plan View of the c am slide which is adapted for actuation by the release position unit for releasing the switch units;

Fig. 1l is a plan View of the cam slide which is adapted to be actuated through the actuation of any one of the switch units to release the release position unit;

Fig. l2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the brackets employed in the switch unit assembly;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the pivoted latch members employed in the switch unit assembly;

Fig. 14 is an end View thereof;

Fig. l5 is a rear elevation; and

Fig. 16 is a top plan view.

Referring to the drawings the multiple switch, according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention i1lus trated therein, comprises a rigid frame structure consisting of an upper frame part in which the locking and releasing mechanism is enclosed, and a lower frame part having mounted upon the respective sides thereof a plurality of spring blade contact units for respective engageh ment and operation by the respective actuating plungers of the switch units, a longitudinal space being provided between the upper and lower frame parts in which the engagement between the actuating plungers and the contact units takes place.

The upper frame members 10 and 11 of substantially similar form, to the upper ends of which there are secured `the ends of a longitudinally extending guide bar member 12 secured by a pair of cap screws 13 and 14, respectively engaged through holes 1 5 and 16 in the ends of the bar 12 and screwed into threaded pockets 17 and 1,8 in the respective upper ends of the block members l0 and 11. The cap screws 13 and 14 have threaded holes 19 extending downwardly therein from their upper ends for the engagement therewith of mounting screws for attaching the switch to a suitable supporting structure.

To the lower ends of the end block members 10 and 11 there are secured the ends of ay cam slide mounting bar 2t), which has end ear portions disposed between the llower ends of the block members 1 0 and 11 and the upper ends of a pair of spacer block members 21 and 22 of substantially T-shape. Attaching screws 23 are provided at each side of each of the spacer block members which extend upwardly through holes 24 in the endl portions of the top of the T-formation, and registering holes 25 in the end ear portions of the barv 20, and which are screwed into threaded holes 26 in the lower ends of the block members 10 and 11.

`Rectangular coverplates 27 27 are ymounted upon each side of the upper frame part in recessed formations provided by projecting ribs 28 along each of the upper longitudinal side edges of the bar 12 and similar projecting ribs 29 along each of the lower longitudinal side edges of the bar 2t). The side plates are secured by screws 30 engaged through suitable holes in the side plates and screwed into threaded holes 31 provided in the side faces of the end block members and 11 and of the longitudinal bars 12 and 20.

The lower frame part comprises an upper longitudinal guide bar 32 of inverted U-shape in cross-section, having end ear portions engaged beneath the lower ends of the respective spacer blocks 21 and 22. These end ear portions each have a vertically disposed hole 33 which is in register with a corresponding diameter cylindrical pocket 34 in the lower end of each of the respective block members 21 and 22, and from the upper end of which a threaded screw receiving hole 35 extends upwardly. A lower longitudinally extending spring supporting bar 36 also has end ear portions provided with vertically extending holes 37 in vertical register with the holes 33 of the bar 32, and between the bars 32 and 36 there is provided at each end a cylindrical tubular spacer sleeve 33 having an internal diameter corresponding to the diameters of the holes 33 and 37 and the pocket 34.

A tubular bushing 39 is engaged in the bore of the sleeve 38 and in the registering holes 37 and 33, with its upper end engaged in the pocket 34, this sleeve serving to impart rigidity to the assembly of the lower frame part and the spacer blocks. Elongated headed screws 4il-40 are engaged upwardly through the respective bushings 39 and screwed into the threaded holes 35 in the spacer block members 21 and 22. The heads of the screws 4u are of larger diameter than the bushing 39 so that they bear upon the lower side of the bar 36, the length of the bushing 39 providing sufficient clearance to permit these screws to be tightened up to draw the parts into rigidly assembled relation.

Upon the lower frame part there is removably secured a cover member 41 of U-shape in cross-section, having its lower side engaged with the under side of the spring supporting bar 36, and secured thereto by a pair of set screws 42, respectively engaged through holes 43 in the base of the cover member and screwed into threaded holes 44 in the spring supporting bar, the vertical sides of the cover member extending across the space between the spring supporting bar 36 and the guide bar 32 and having their upper edges engaged in longitudinal recesses 45 respectively provided along the lower outside edges of the bar 32. This cover member is adapted, as will hereinafter more fully appear, to have mounted upon its two sides a plurality of spring blade contact units adapted to be actuated by the respective plungers.

The switch, as illustrated, is provided with nine stations, eight of which are adapted to be independently operated to locked position and the other of which is a release station, which upon actuation releases any or all of thc other stations which have been previously locked, this station being locked when it is moved to its released posi tion and adapted to be released upon actuation of any of the other stations. The construction of each of the eight stations is identical and the structure of the release station is identical except for a dimensional variation in a cam part thereof, as will hereinafter more fully appear, so that a description of one station will sufiice for a description of all of them, except for a further description of the 'variation in the release station.

Each station comprises a push button type depressible Contact actuating cam plunger, indicated generally as 46 for the eight stations, and as 46a for the release station. The upper guide'bar 12 is provided with a series of cylindrical guide passages 47 for guiding the plungers, each having at its lower end a countersunk recess 43. The bar 2t) is provided with a series of circular openings 49 for receiving the intermediate portions of the plungers, and the guide bar 32 is provided with a series of cylindrical passages Si) for guiding the lower ends of the plungers.

Each plunger comprises an upper cylindrical stem portion 51 having a threaded stud 52 at its upper end upon which a push button 53 is screwed, a stop shoulder 54 being provided upon the stern portion to normally seat in the countersunk recess 48. In spaced relation, below the stop portion 54, there is provided a locking cam portion consisting of a cylindrical upper part 55 having a at annular locking shoulder 56 at its upper end and a lower tapered annular cam part 57 which is adapted, as will sently more fully appear, to actuate a releasing 'slide plate, hereinafter more fully referred to, the diameter of the cylindrical part 55 being such that in the downwardly moved contact actuating position of the plunger it slidingly lits within the opening 49.

Immediately below the cam portion 57 there is provided a cylindrical neck portion 58, and below the neck portion 5S there is provided a contact actuating cam portion 59 in the form of an inverted truncated cone, this portion being disposed within the space between the upper and lower frame parts vfor cooperation with the spring blade contact units, as will hereinafter more fully appear. A cylindrical stem portion 60 extends below the cam portion 59 and is slidingly tted in the guide hole 50 of the bar 32.

A pocket 61 is provided in the lower end of the stem portion 60 which is engaged by a pin 62 of a spring holder 63 engaged upon the lower end of the plunger, this spring holder having an annular shoulder 64 at its upper end and against which is engaged the upper end of a helical spring 65 disposed about the holder 63 and having its lower end seated in one of a series of positioning pockets 56 in the upper side of the bar 36. This spring serves to normally press the plunger upwardly to the normal position as shown in Fig. 3, and further serves to automatically move the plunger from its locked position to its normal position when it is released from its locked position, as will presently more fully appear.

An angie bracket 67, shown in detail in Fig. l2, is secured to the underside of the bar i2 by a pair of screws 63 engager through holes 69 in the upper horizontal part of Athe bracket, a circular therein which registers with the countersunk recess 47 to provide a guide opening through which the stop shoulder S4 moves. The vertical part of the bracket is provided with a pair of holes 71 respectively at each side of the plunger and through which are extended a pair of rods 7'?. for hingedly supporting the latch members for locking the plungers, these rods being common to the plungers of the several stations, and being restrained from longitudinal displacement by engagement of the left hand ends of the rods with the end block member 10 and by engagement of their right hand ends with the end block member il, a. spacer sleeve 73 being provided upon the right hand end of each rod to position the latch members of plunger 46a of the right hand or release station, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Upon the rods l2-72 at opposite sides of the plunger there are hingedly mounted two latch members 74-74, these being of identical but opposite form, i. e., one is a mirror image o the other. The right hand latch member 74, as seen in Fig. 5, is illustrated in detail in Figs.

l3-'i6 and comprises a vertically disposed body portion 75 provided at its upper end with a pair of apertured.

ears i6- 76 which are hingedly engaged by the suPPOrting rod 72, the body portion being substantially at at its outer face and provided at its inner face with a cylinrical recess 77 terminating at its lower end in a bevelled inwardly extending 'lip S having a dat bottom surface 79. The radius of the inner edge of the lip is substantially the radius of the cylindrical locking cam portion 55 of the plunger, so that in the raised position of the plunger, as seen in Fig. 5, the said inner edge substantially con-` forms to the cylindrical surface of the portion 55, being? yieldably pressed thereagainst by means of a spring 80 coiled about the rod 72 between the ears 76. One legl hole 7o being also provided of the spring extends outwardly and abuts the under side ofthe upper portion of theV bracket 67, while the other leg 81, which is bent into substantially U-form, engages with the outer fiat face of the body portion 75. Thus thevlatch member is spring loaded to normally swing inwardly, and upon depression of the plunger to a point where the fiat annular shoulder 56 of the portion 55 is below the lip 78, the latch member swings inwardly against the stem portion 51 of the plunger so that when the finger is removed from the plunger, following its depression, the plunger spring 65 forces the plunger upwardly to bring the annular shoulder 56 against the under side of the lip 78, thereby locking the plunger in its depressed position.

Inasmuch as the latch members are provided at opposite sides of the plunger, it is effectually and uniformly held at opposite sides, so that in the event that the switch is subjected to a severe shock from either side, the effect of such shock will be to force the latch member at one side toward its latching position, if the shock is such that it tends to force the latch at the other side away from its latchin g position.

Upon the lower end of the body portion, in outwardly offset relation, there is provided a cam block 82 having a bevelled cam surface 83 disposed transversely to the length of the switch and which is adapted to be engaged by releasing means, presently to be more fully described, to release the plunger from its locked position.

The cam slide mounting bar 20 is provided in its upper side with a longitudinal channel 84 provi-ded atthe inner sidesy of the upper edges of its side walls with .inwardly extending retaining ribs 85, and within this channel there are slidably engaged in superimposed relation a lower longitudinal cam slide plate 86 and an upper longitudinal cam slide plate 87. The plate 86 is provided with a series of circular holes 88, one for each of the eight switch unit stations, and which are of corresponding diameter to the holes 49 in the bar 20 so as to slidably receive they stop cam portion 55 of the plunger in its depressed position.

At the right hand end of the plate 86 there is provided a post 89 connected by a helical compression spring 90 to a transversely disposed pin 91 provided within a pocket 92 in the end block member 11, and which spring normally pulls the plate 86 to the right, as seen in Fig. 3, to engage the left hand` sides of the holes 88 with the cylindrical neck portions 58 of the plungers directly below the cam portions 57. An additional hole 93 is provided in the plate for engagement therein of the plunger of the release station, this hole being of elongated or substantially oval form, so that in the normal position of the slide plate, as seen in Fig. 3, .its left hand edge is in register with the hole 49 in the bar 20, so that while de* pression of any one of the eight switch unit station plungers 46 will, through engagement of the cam p0rtion 57 of the plunger with the left hand edge of the circular hole 88, cause the slide plate to be actuated to the left, depression of the release plunger 46a will not cause actuation of the slide.

Upon the right hand end of the cam slide plate 86 there are provided two studs 94-94 disposed in longitudinal line with the cam portions 82 of the latch members 74 of the release plunger 46a. Should the release plunger 46a be in its depressed locked position, these studs are adapted upon actuation of the plate to the left, i. e., from the position as shown inv Fig. 3 to the position as shown in Fig. 7, affected through depression of any one of the switch unit plungers 46 to its locked position, to engage the cam portions 82 causing the latch members to swing outwardly from engagement with the stop shoulder 56 of the release plunger 46a, thereby releasing it from its locked position. In the shifted position of the slide plate 86, as seen in Fig. 7, .the right hand end of the hole 93 is in register with the hole49 of the bar 20,

, portions 82 of the latch members 74 6 thus permitting depression of the release plunger 46a, without obstruction by the slide plate 86.

The slide plate 87 is provided with a series of Substantially oval or elongated holes 95, one for each ofthe eight switch unit stations, and which in the normal position of the switch, as seen in Fig. 3, have their left handI edges in register with the holes 49 so that depression of any one of the eight switch unit plungers 46 will not affect movement of the slide plate. At the right handl end of the plate there is provided a semi-circular notch 96 of corresponding radius to the hole 49, which in said normal position is engaged with the neck portion 58 of the release plunger 46a directly below the cam portion 57 thereof, it being noted that this cam portion is upwardly offset with respect to the cam portions 57 ofthe switch unit plungers 46 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the slide plate 87, so that the same operative relationship exists between the plunger 46aA and the plate S7 as exists between the plungers 46 and-thej plate 86.

The plate 87 is normally urged to the right to press the notch 96 of the plunger 46a by means of a helical expansion spring 97 disposed in a pocket 9S in the block member 10 and pressing against a recessed block 99 secured upon the upper side of the left hand end of the plate 87 by means of pins 10G. Adjacent each of the holes 97 at the right hand side thereof, there are provided two studs 10i-101 disposed in the longitudinal line of the cam 46 of the switch units, and which are adapted,l upon movement of the slide tion as seen in Fig. 3 to the position as seen in Fig. 8, to engage the cam portions 82 of any is depressed to its locked position where the latch mem-4 bers 74 swing into locking position above the annular locking shoulder 56, as shown in Fig. 8. It willk be noted that in the left hand position of the slide 87, the right hand edges of the holes are in register with the holes 49 of the bar 29, thus permitting depression of any one of the plungers 46 without obstruction by the slide plate 87.

As the slide plate 87 will not, in either of its positions, be actuated by or obstruct movement of the plungers 46, and the latch plate 86 will not, in either of its positions, be actuated by or obstruct the movement of the release plunger 46a, simultaneous depression of both the release plunger 46a and one or more of the switch unit plungers 46 will not result in any jamming of the mechanism. On the other hand, the depressed plungers will all return to their raised positions upon disengagement of finger pressure therefrom, as both slides 86 and 87 will have been moved to their latch releasing position, thus holding all of the latches in their releasing positions.

The contact units 1.92, which are adapted to be actuated by the plungers, are of conventional form and are mounted at each side of the switch upon the sides of the cover member 4l, a contact unit being provided at each side of each plunger so that each plunger is adapted to operate two contact units. Obviously only one such. c ontact unit may be provided, if desired, or, depending upon the installation, certain of the plungers may have no contact units associated with them, thus providing reserve stations for the attachment of Contact units when and .if required.

Each Contact unit consists of an actuating blade 103 provided witl a V-sliaped upper end portion 104 extend ing within the into engagement with the neck portion 58 of the eight plungers,

plate 87 to the left, from the posi-y of the latch mem-u1 bers which may be in plunger locking position, such space between the upper and lower parts 'i of the frame and disposed in the path of the cam portion 59 of the plunger, so that in the raised position of the plunger, as seen in Fig. 5, the actuating blade is in an inwardly moved position, and in the depressed position of the plunger, as seen in Fig. 6, the actuating blade is forced outwardly to operate the contact unit. This operation may be of various kinds, i. e., it may consist in closing one or more circuits, opening one or more circuits, or combinations of these operations, depending upon the particular make-up of the contact unit.

In the illustrated type of unit, the operation closes the circuit. For this puipose, this unit is provided with a spring blade member 195 which backs up the actuating blade 163, and which is engaged at its upper end with an insulating block 106 secured upon the upper end of one contact blade 197, the other contact blade M38 being spaced from the blade 107. The respective contacts lll and 110 of these blades, which are normally spaced apart as seen in Fig. 5, are adapted to be engaged upon outward movement of the actuating blade, as seen in Fig. 6.

The several blades are mounted in an insulating block 111 consisting of a plurality of spacers or laminations of insulating material which insulate the blades from the body of the switch, i. e., from the cover member 4l, insulate the actuating blade N3 and the spring blade 195 from the contact blades, and insulate the contact blades from each other. Each of the blades is apertured to receive insulating tubes 112 extending through holes in the insulating layers, and through which tubes mounting screws 113 are engaged, these screws being screwed into threaded holes 114 provided in the side walls of the cover member 41. The contact blades have apertured extensions 11S- 116 extending below the insulating block for the attachment of conductor wires thereto, these usually extending to suitable relays of the communication or other system to be controlled by the switch mechanism.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple switch comprising a plurality of vertically depressible contact actuating plungers and a vertically depressible release plunger, a frame supporting said plungers in side-by-side relation in a horizontal longitudinally extending row, spring means biasing said plungers upwardly, a latch portion carried hy each of said plungers, a plurality of latch means movably mounted in said frame and respectively associated with said plurality of plungers, spring means biasing said latch means in latching direction whereby upon depression of the associated plunger each said latch means moves into latching relation with said latch portion thereof, a horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in one direction in said frame, release means carried by said slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said latch means of said release plunger to move said latch means in unlatching direction, cam means carried by each of said contact actuating plungers adapted upon individual depression thereof to move said slide plate in opposite direction to its spring biased movement, a second horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in the same direction as the spring-biased movement of said iirst slide plate, a plurality of release means carried by said second slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its springbiased movement to engage said latch means of said plurality of contact actuating plungers to move said latch means in unlatching direction, and cam means carried by said release plunger adapted upon depression thereof to move said second slide plate in said opposite direction to its spring biased movement.

2. A multiple switch comprising a plurality of vertically depressible contact actuating plungers and a vertically depressible release plunger, a frame supporting said plungers in side-by-side relation in a horizontal longitudinally extending row, spring means biasing said plungers upwardly, an annular latch shoulder carried by each of said plungers, a plurality of latch means movably mounted in said frame and respectively associated with said plurality of plungers, each said latch means comprising a pair of latch members hingedly mounted for swinging movement about horizontal longitudinally extending hinge axes at opposite sides of the associated plunger and each including a lip portion normally engaging said plunger below said shoulder, and a cam portion below said lip portion, spring means biasing said latch members inwardly in latching direction whereby upon depression of the associated plunger each said pair of latch members moves into latching relation with said shoulder thereof, a horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in one direction in said frame, release means carried by said slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its springbiased movement to engage said cam portions of said pair of latch members of said release plunger to move said latch members in unlatching direction, cam means carried by each of said contact actuating plungers adapted upon individual depression thereof to move said slide plate in opposite direction to its spring biased movement, a second horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in the same direction as the spring-biased movement of said first slide plate, a plurality of release means carried bysaid second slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its springbiased movement to engage Said cam portions of said pairs of latch members of said plurality of contact actuating plungers to move said latch members in unlatching direction, and cam means carried by said release plunger adapted upon depression thereof to move said second slide plate in said opposite direction to its spring biased movement.

3. A multiple switch comprising a plurality of vertically depressible Contact actuating plungers and a vertically depressible release plunger, a frame supporting said plungers in side-by-side relation in a horizontal longitudinally extending row, spring means biasing said plungers upwardly, a latch portion carried by each of said plungers, a plurality of latch means movably mounted in said frame and respectively associated with said plurality of plungers, spring means biasing said latch means in latching direction whereby upon depression of the associated plunger each said latch means moves into latching relation with said latch portion thereof, a horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in one .irection in said frame, said slide plate having a plurality of holes in which said contact actuating plungers are respectively engaged, release means carried by said slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said latch means of said release plunger to move said latch means in unlatching direction, cam means carried by each of said contact actuating plungers normally above said slide plate and adapted upon individual depression thereof to enter the hole of said slide plate engaged oy said plunger to move said slide plate in opposite direction to its spring biased movement, a second horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in the same direction as the spring-biased movement of said rst slide plate, a plurality of release means carried by said second slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said latch means of said plurality of contact actuating plungers to move said latch means in unlatching direction, and can means carried by said release plunger adapted upon depression thereof to move said second slide plate in said opposite direction to its spring-biased movement.

4. A multiple switch comprising a plurality of vertically depressible contact actuating plungers and a ver tically depressible release plunger, a frame supporting said plungers in side-by-side relation in a horizontal longitudinally extending row, spring means biasing said plungers upwardly, a latch portion carried by each of said plungers, a plurality of latch means movably mounted in said frame and respectively associated with said plurality of plungers, spring means biasing said latch means in latching direction whereby upon depression of the associated plunger each said latch means moves into latching relation with said latch portion thereof, a horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in one direction in said frame, said slide plate having a plurality of holes in which said contact actuating plungers are respectively engaged, release means carried by said slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said latch means of said release plunger to move said latch means in unlatching direction, cam means carried by each of said contact actuating plungers normally above said slide plate and adapted upon individual depression thereof to enter the hole of said slide plate engaged by said plunger to move said slide plate in opposite direction to its spring-biased movement, a second horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in the same direction as the spring-biased movement of said first slide plate, said second slide plate being superimposed on said first slide plate and having a plurality of holes in which said contact actuating plungers are respectively engaged and through which said cam means thereof are freely movable without imparting movement to said second slide plate, a plurality of release means carried by said second slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said latch means of said plurality of contact actuating plungers to move said latch means in unlatching direction, and cam means carried by said release plunger adapted upon depression thereof to move said second slide plate in said opposite direction to its spring-biased movement.

5. A multiple switch comprising a plurality of vertically depressible contact actuating plungers and a vertically depressible release plunger, a frame supporting said plungers in side-by-side relation in a horizontal longitudinally extending row, spring means biasing said plungers upwardly, an annular latch shoulder carried by each of said plungers, a plurality of latch means movably mounted in said frame and respectively associated with said plurality of plungers, each said latch means comprising a pair of latch members hingedly mounted fior swinging movement about horizontal longitudinally extending hinge axes at opposite sides of the associated plunger and each including a lip portion normally engaging said plunger below said shoulder, and a cam portion below said lip portion, spring means biasing said latch members inwardly in latching direction whereby upon depression of the associated plunger each said pair of latch members moves into latching relation with said shoulder thereof, a horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in one direction in said frame, said slide plate having a plurality of holes in which said contact actuating plungers are respectively engaged, release means carried by said slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said cam portion of said pair of latch members of said release plunger to move said latch members in unlatching direction, cam means carried by each of said contact actuating plungers normally above said slide plate and adapted upon individual depression thereof to enter the hole of said slide plate engaged by said plunger to move said slide plate in opposite direction to its spring biased movement, a second horizontal slide plate common to said plurality of contact actuating plungers spring-biased for longitudinal movement in the same direction as the spring-biased movement of said first slide plate, said second slide plate being superimposed on said first slide plate and having a plurality of holes in which said Contact actuating plungers are respectively engaged and through which said cam means thereof are freely movable without imparting movement to said second slide plate, a plurality of release means carried by said second slide plate adapted upon movement thereof in the opposite direction to its spring-biased movement to engage said cam portions of said pairs of latch members of said plurality of contact actuating plungers to move sald latch members in unlatch- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

